Distinctive body stripes
Dark stripes down the body resemble a tiger's pattern; these stripes fade as the shark matures.
Species Guide
What to know about tiger sharks
A clean field guide focused on habitat, identification, behavior, and conservation context without burying the useful parts.
The tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) is a large ground shark and the only living member of the genus Galeocerdo and family Galeocerdonidae. Females can exceed 5 m (about 16 ft 5 in) in length. Populations occur in many tropical and temperate waters, especially around central Pacific islands. The species is named for the dark stripes along its body, which resemble a tiger's pattern and fade as individuals mature. Tiger sharks are largely solitary and primarily nocturnal. They have one of the broadest diets among sharks, consuming crustaceans, fish, seals, birds, squid, sea turtles, sea snakes, dolphins, smaller sharks, and various inedible man-made objects reported from stomach contents. The tiger shark has only one recorded natural predator, the orca. The species is considered near-threatened due to widespread finning and fishing by humans. Historically it ranks second only to the great white in recorded fatal attacks on humans, though such events are described as exceedingly rare.
Considered near-threatened due to widespread finning and fishing by humans.
One of the most solitary shark species and primarily a nocturnal hunter.
The strongest linked planning options currently surface around destinations such as North Male Atoll, Fuvahmulah, Coral Coast, Viti Levu and countries such as Maldives, French Polynesia, Egypt for divers building trips around tiger sharks.
